“How this works is that it’s like busking, except there’s no money involved.”

From the front steps of Grace Cathedral, Jon Foreman addressed the fans gathered to see his aftershow performance. Minutes earlier at The Masonic, a venue just steps away from the cathedral, Foreman’s band Switchfoot kicked off the second leg of the Tour de Compadres along with Needtobreathe, Colony House, and Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors. Foreman began playing “Only Hope,” and I was overcome with emotion as two realizations hit me: one, that I was in California, and two, that I was finally attending one of Foreman’s famous aftershows. As I sang softly along with the crowd, I hardly noticed the chilly air and occasional raindrops; a welcome change from the crushing humidity of Virginia.

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“I can’t write simple love songs. People are complex,” Andrew Bird said in a press release accompanying this single from his forthcoming album, Are You Serious. “Left Handed Kisses” isn’t a love song. It’s a song […]

“My Love is Cool” alternates between manic energy and quiet reflection, not to mention it’s a purely strong debut album with few, if any, faults: a difficult feat on its own. Easily THE album of 2015 for me.

Jon Foreman takes us through each hour of the day with this collection of four EPs. While listening to these songs, I’ve smiled, cried, been broken, and put back together over and over again. “The Wonderlands” is a brilliantly executed concept with a joyful conclusion. If I can get my thoughts together, I’d like to write a full review of this project.

I was introduced to Songs of Water this spring when they opened for Seryn on tour. Their live show blew me away with the sheer skill of each member. “Stars & Dust” is a pleasurable listening experience that goes on a journey from start to finish. I’d highly recommend seeing Songs of Water live if you’re able. Their energy, skill, and sound are unparalleled.

This was the first album I purchased in 2015 and it did not disappoint. The three awesome ladies of Sleater-Kinney prove that they’re back and just as good as ever, if not better, in ten energetic songs.

Noah Gundersen departs from his softer acoustic arrangements and embraces a more electric guitar-driven sound on his newest release. Gundersen uses vivid imagery and vocal dynamics to take the listener through faith, heartbreak, doubt, and love.

Chris Cornell fronted the reunited Mad Season (originally fronted by the late Layne Staley) for this one-time performance live at Benaroya Hall on January 30, 2015. I was on a week-long break from school during this performance and I’m still upset that I didn’t have enough money to fly out to Seattle for this performance. Though probably best experienced in person, this album is still a powerful sonic and emotional experience.

I discovered this album completely by accident. I’m familiar with McCaughan’s work with Superchunk and Portastatic, but was unaware of “Non-Believers” until a month or so after its release. When I listened, I was instantly captivated. After all, how many musicians can write songs about box batteries and wet leaves?

Lullwater’s sophomore effort amps the volume and energy to build on an already strong body of work. Full review forthcoming.

In addition to having an amazing name, Kurt Vile has a way with words. With “That’s Life, tho (almost hate to say),” I think it’s safe to say he created the defining song of my 2015.

Here’s an album that caught me by surprise. Julien Baker’s lyrics and performances on this album broke my heart in the best of ways. Full review forthcoming.

I believe Chris Cornell is one of the greatest musicians of our generation. On “Higher Truth” he combines masterful vocals, confessional lyrics, and stripped-down musical arrangements to create an album that encourages an appreciation for life’s simplest pleasures.

Few artists can take us through as many emotional highs and lows in one album like Josh Garrels. “Home” explores joy, sorrow, love, redemption, doubt, and more, and it does so effortlessly.

In her first solo effort since the disbandment of The Civil Wars, Joy Williams radiates confidence in this album. The songs range from melancholy to hopeful to empowering, capturing the many facets of womanhood.

Carbon Leaf utilized Pledge Music to crowdfund this reimagined version of “Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat” (2006). After nearly ten years, it was a welcome treat to hear new life breathed into the songs.

Here are my favorite albums of 2015 in no particular order. You can click the album covers to enlarge them and read my thoughts in the caption. Full reviews are forthcoming for some albums. Do we have any […]

Since their 2011 debut, This Is Where We Are, Seryn has undergone changes ranging from their sound and lineup to the place they call home. In late 2014, the band’s home became Nashville when members Trenton Wheeler (lead vocals/ukulele), Nathan Allen (guitar), Jenny Moscoso (guitar/vocals), Aaron Stoner (bass), Jordan Rochefort (drums), and Scarlett Deering (violin) relocated from Denton, Texas. Seryn released their sophomore album, Shadow Shows, on February 17, 2015. The album retains Seryn’s signature vocal harmonies and folk roots while expanding the musical groundwork laid in their debut.

The band graciously allowed me to sit in on their soundcheck during a stop on the Shadow Shows tour. As they played through “The Fire,” sound swept through the venue and filled it to capacity before any attendees had arrived. I had no doubt that I was in for a gorgeous performance later that evening. But before that performance, I sat down with Trenton Wheeler to discuss Seryn’s latest album, the band’s spiritual dynamic, and the evolving meaning of “We Will All Be Changed.”

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Note: This post contains spoilers and is intended for those who have seen Upstream Color. This is not a review of the film, but rather, some of my thoughts on it as well a place for discussion. If you’re looking for my non-spoiler review of Upstream Color, you can read it here.

I’m going to be completely honest. I’m putting myself under feeling the pressure to make this post amazing. I’m still amazed by the response to my first review and I’m not sure this post will be anywhere near as articulate. Still, I hope you’re able to find some sort of meaning in these words. For inspiration, I’m listening to the soundtrack as I write this. I need friends. Please buckle your seatbelt and prepare for a long series of thoughts and a few Biblical references. Shall we begin?

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Whew. Where do I start with the masterpiece that is Upstream Color? *cue run-on sentence* This has to be my favorite film of Sundance 2013, and spontaneously deciding to stand 87th in the waitlist line for this film in the Library Center Theatre on a snowy Saturday afternoon in Park City, Utah will forever be recorded in my personal history books as one of the best decisions I have ever made, second to accepting Christ. *mouthful over*

Directed and written by Shane Carruth, and starring Shane Carruth, Amy Seimetz, and Andrew Sensenig, this film shows the aftermath of Kris’ (Amy Seimetz) life and psychological state after she is kidnapped and drugged by a thief. While trying to make sense of it all, a subway ride introduces her to Jeff (Shane Carruth), a banker with whom she shares a mysterious bond. They fall in love and try to figure out the supernatural force that is ruling their lives. It’s not entirely clear who, or what, this force is, but the pig farmer, played by Andrew Sensenig, looks a little suspicious, and I’m still not 100% sure of his role. However, his performance is captivating and downright wonderful, as are the performances of Carruth and Seimetz.

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Director Matthew Porterfield explores a troubled family’s relationships in I Used to be Darker. Written by Porterfield and Amy Belk, the film stars Deragh Campbell as Irish runaway Taryn, Hannah Gross as her cousin, Abby, and John […]

“The Spectacular Now,” directed by James Ponsoldt, is a refreshing coming-of-age story about two high school seniors – the carefree Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) and the shy Aimee Finicky (Shailene Woodley). Throughout the story, Sutter […]